Hamilton team kits out African kids
A Hamilton man hopes there are kids in Africa who are happily pulling on the Mill United Boys’ Club shirt, after donating a whole load of kit to Project Gambia.
Kenny Barnstaple was coach of the well-established Hamilton club’s under-17s, but when it folded, he decided to give the kit to needy children in the West African nation.
The 51-year-old hopes his gesture has helped children who are less fortunate, and to have aided a worthwhile Lanarkshire cause in Project Gambia.
He said: “It was a blow when Mill United Boys’ Club Under-17s ended, but we’re just happy that the strips can be used by other people.
“Project Gambia came to my attention through Facebook and social media, and I thought it would be a good idea.
“I knew they occasionally got football kit – Rangers, Celtic and the big English teams and things like that – so I decided to send ours over.
“It’s great that it was such a popular idea. Parents all bought into it, they thought it was great. We’re all sad that the team came to an end, but at least we could do something worthwhile for other people.
“We knew the club was coming to an end, and at least we could help a worthwhile cause.
“I knew they were looking for donations, it’s Lanarkshire-based, so I thought it was pretty good, and it’s good for the club.
“Mill United is heavily involved in raising funds for various worthwhile causes, so it’s good for us to give something back.
“There are kids who have kit from a 40-year-old club, or whatever it is, with a Lanarkshire company’s logo on it, from our sponsors Gas Call, so they’re pleased too.
“It’s really good to know that we can help in really any way that we can. Kids over there don’t have very much, and you know how hard life is over there, while kids here have so much more.
“At least now they can go and play football, or just play.”
Since 2007, Project Gambia has established a range of projects in schools, villages and farms to provide education, support and funding for people to find a sustainable solution to poverty.
They make several trips to The Gambia every year, with donations of items such as clothes, shoes, school resources and Christmas boxes in a 40ft shipping container.
Kenny was disappointed to see the club fold, but says it’s sometimes just a fact of kids growing up, and says he might go back into coaching, should the right opportunity become available.
“It was a blow when it ended,” he said. “Kids get to a certain age when other choices become available. They’re leaving school and starting work, and it just sometimes goes like that.
“Coaching is something myself and the boys would look at again, but the timing would need to be right, and there is a lot involved in organising something like that – but never say never.”